Fortune Telling
The Oracle
Fortune Telling is an ancient technique of divination. It is also known as "casting the oracle" or "reading the trails", for in the past four snail would be placed on a board in the evening, and two bundles of fresh grass at its extremities, and the trails left read in the morning.
Techniques
There are several ways of casting the oracle. Although the techniques differ, a general principle of casual generation underlies them all and any fortuitous ways of obtaining the figures is equally valid. Two techniques are most widely used.
The Casting of the Coin
This system is the most widespread, for it does not need any equipment and it just uses a silver coin (although any coin will do). The two principles - moving and still - are assigned to the sides of the coin that is then cast on a board or a circle. The lines are drawn from top to bottom, and the coin recast if it falls outside the board, for the casting was not done in line with the cosmos. With four castings a figure is obtained.
The Drawing of the sticks
A bundle of sticks is held in one hand, or in a container. The bottom half of half of the sticks is painted evenly, while the other half of the sticks is painted in broken sections. Four sticks are drawn in order and a figure obtained.
Other Techniques
Any mean of obtaining the figures is equally valid is the principle of casual generation is respected. The figures can be drawn on small pieces of parchment, put in a bowl, and one then picked without looking. A deck of cards can also be used, or the flight of birds observed. It is rumored that the Bloodmoon Fruit is secretly used in the chambers of the West, and the lines drawn in the trances it induces.
The Figures
The Well
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The Well, or the Abyss, receptive primal power. The well represents the inscrutable depths of water, absolute malleability and adaptability, and the primordial creative energy. The well stands for the earth in opposition to the sky, receiving its life giving rain, and woman in opposition to man. Life yielding passivity, the Well represent endurance and perseverance, awareness and equanimity.
The Well in the oracle can mean that bringing about change is not advisable, but one needs to stay steady and let things develop. Like the well receives whatever is thrown into its depths, so one needs to be open to advice and receptive to what surrounds him. It also represent duration in time and and patience.
Like, in the forest, the hunter immobile listens to the sounds around him, and knows that movement will scare away its prey, so one needs to wait and be receptive, for it is not time for action.
Its animal the turtle, its body part the belly.
The Word
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The Word, or the Wind, represents speech as opposed to physical means, gentleness as opposed to force, spirit as opposed to flesh. A man hits the mountain with a hammer, but the mountain does not fall; the wind gently caresses it and after aeons the mountain has become a steppe. A holy man sits on a rock, his disregard for material gains and pleasures a sign of his spiritual depth. The Word is also the inversion of the Beaker, the sweet nectar is poured on the dusty soil: disregard for material gain, an intellectual or spiritual quest, asceticism.
The Word in the oracle can mean that it is not time for the direct use of force, but persuasion and diplomacy is needed. As the wind blows, one needs to apply a gentle but steady force, and not rush in search of immediate gain. Wind can penetrate in the most protected heavily protected fortress. The word can stand for a spiritual quest as opposed to material gain, spiritual transcendence as opposed to earthly gain, the intellect as opposed to matter.
Its animal the hawk, its body part the liver.
The Passage
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The passage, or the Clearing, is the tipping point between the traveller's ascent of the mountain and his descent. The Passage is the moment when the peak is reached, one's way start sloping downwards and all can be seen ahead. The Arch is open, and the fields outside can be seen through it. The Arch invites one to pass through its openness and reach what can be seen lying ahead. The Passage represents clearing, a clear future goal that can be easily reached, all the path to the valley can be seen from the heights of the passage.
The Passage in the oracle is extremely favourable. The future lies open in fornt of one's eyes, all that can be seen can be easily reached and achieved. Clarity is reached, the blind can see again and the philosopher suddenly solved a riddle after months of frustration. The Passage suggests that one is about to break through doubt and uncertainty, or that all is plain and clear and nothing is hidden. The passage represents achievement in its highest form.
Its animal the mountain goat, its body part the eyes.
Thunder
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Thunder, or the Snake, divides the sky to earth in a frightening moment, tearing apart the fabric of the air. It represents sudden change, revolutions and revolts, and the division that comes with them; it embodies excitation and ferment, energy too strong and restless to be confined and the breaking of boundaries.
Thunder in the oracle can mean that sudden change is about to come, and action must be taken to bring it about. The conditions are ripe, the old rulers are weak and it is time to bring them down and seize the kingdom. The wood of the cage is rotten, and a powerful blow is needed to set one free. Thunder asks for brave and reckless behavior, for one's life to be put on the line for a radical change. Initiative must be taken, now is the moment.
Its animal the snake, its body part the foot.
Reflection
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Reflection, or the Mirror, represents subterfuge and illusion. The spy attends a dinner at court under a clever disguise to find out the enemies' secrets, he dresses up with their insignia and sings their popular songs. A thief is arrested, but weaves a subtle fabric of lie to convince the court he is not guilty. In the forest, the hunter wears a brown cape adorned in green leaves to merge with the surrounding. The trickster walks the land, and in the village no one can trust each other, for he might be disguised under anyone's guise.
Refection in the oracle suggests that lies and subterfuge are acting in one's surrounding, and one needs not to trust what presented to him. Someone is lying, things are not what they seem. The figure can also suggest that subterfuge is needed, it is not time for the truth, but one needs to hide under the cloak of lie and disguise to bring about the desired effect. One needs to say what people want him to say, so he can go about with his business. Refection symbolises shadow, theater and dreams.
Its animal the raven, its body part the hands.
The Swamp
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The Swamp, or the Lake, lies immobile at the edge of the forest. In its waters all slowly sinks and dies, like a giant mouth all is slowly devoured. A successful merchant neglects his trade, lost in the sweet scents of a brothel. Infatuated, he throws away his fortune for a night with its mistress. The Swamp represents an excess of attention to the pleasures of the senses: wines and gold medallions, lust and poisons. A young prince neglects his duties to throw banquets and toasts; he becomes fat and sluggish, unable to joust and duel like his position demands.
The Swamp in the oracle represents pleasure and lust, gluttony and material excess. The Swamp is generally unfavourable, suggesting that danger lies in excessive care for riches or pleasures. It can also mean that one is neglecting one side of the coin: enjoying something without caring for its responsibilities. The Swamp can also represent suffocation and intoxication.
Its animal the pig, its body part the mouth.
Youth
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Youth, or the Boy, shows off his force and laughs aggressively at the defeated foe. The figure could be representing a sword or an erected phallus, and signifies aggression and passion, will for dominance and conquest. The boy is young and beautiful and does not care for education or books, but he wishes to go to war and test himself on the battlefield. His arrogance lamented by the old tutors, his beauty admired by the young girls of the village.
Youth in the oracle is generally unfavourable, for it stands for arrogance and aggression. Youth asks for aggressive behaviour and to force one's enemies into submission. It can also represent war, duels or heated arguments. Youth can be favourable if related to the outcome of war or a duel.
its animal the cockerel, its body part shoulders, arms and male reproductive organs.
The Tower
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The Tower, or the Mountain, represents stability and security, but also immobility. After long travels one decides to settle, and starts building a house to protect him after years of sleeping rough. The city is under siege, but its timeless walls defy any attempt to get inside, protecting its population from harm. Roots run deep into the earth, making it impossible to uproot the ancient oak tree, a house built on strong foundations will stand forever.
The Tower in the oracle stands for protection and safety, suggesting that one does not need to worry because his position is safe and strongly held. It is time to settle and build, to stop moving and choose a land to place the first brick. One needs stability and safety, it is opportune to dig defences and stay within them. The Tower represents also old age, wisdom and prudence.
Its animal the elephant, its body part the spine and bone structure.
The Road
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The Road, or the Way, represents the basic principle of activity and strength. In nature there is a power that pushes things to grow and progress, and the Road represents that dynamic force. The plant brakes through the seed and stretches to the sky, as the wind pushes the clouds away from the horizon and back again. The Road represents all that is firm and definite, all that acts with force from within on an unchanging course. The road is uncompromising activity, a life force that comes from within and cannot be altered. Judgement, life-force that brings forth growth, a chariot pushed along the way by strong wild horses.
The road in the oracle suggests both activity and its impossibility. On the one hand the Road is supreme activity, constant change and the impossibility of stability. On the other hand it represents a force that cannot be altered, a rushing river that cannot be contained or a frightened horse that cannot be stopped. This figure can mean that change is happening or about to happen, and one cannot do anything to stop it. It can also mean that one needs to be resolute and not change his mind, need to go on with the intended purpose and not doubt or reconsider one's position. Power from within, the Road can mean that help is not going to come from without, but one needs to bring forth change form one's soul.
Its animal the horse, its body part the breath, the joints and the legs.
The Cave
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The Cave, or Dusk, the sun no longer illuminates the earth and all disappears in darkness. One hides in the cave and cannot be found, on the surface his lantern cannot be seen. The sun has sunk into the earth, at this time it is essential to be cautious and hide one's lantern to not be spotted. The thief mingles with the crowd, and becomes invisible. The rabbit hides in the hole, so the fox cannot find it.
The Cave in the oracle can symbolize a time for holding things inside and not be carried away. The image is of someone hiding, hiding his motives from the crowds or mingling with the surrounding concealing its difference. At dusk all becomes the same in darkness, and one needs to hide the torch not to stand out, for it is not time to shine. The figure can represent a secret, or an unseen force acting behind what is visible.
Its animal is the snail, its body part the skull.
The Bride
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The Bride, or the Seductress, is sign of beauty and seduction. Mainly a passive figure, the Bride is usually favourable, depicting a situation where one does not go out to get the desired object but invites it to come. The Seductress walks in the gardens, aware of the gazes of the young nobles, invisibly inviting to come forth. The bride lifts her hand, waiting for her beloved to hold it, but at the same time suggesting it. The Bride represents passivity in activity, passivity that induces activity and gains through inaction.
The Bride in the oracle represents a calculating attitude that obtains the desired goal through stirring the surroundings. The passivity is not receptive, but acts for its goal. As the magnet attracts steel without moving, so one needs not to act, but to manipulate others to act and come to him. The Bride can represent care, nurturing and looking after, for the seductress becomes matron and and the child calls her to him as she called to her. It can be extremely favourable for it can mean help is on the way.
Its animal the peacock, its body part the hips and lower back.
The Braid
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The Braid, or the Family, stands for an harmonious mixing of heterogeneous elements. The family sits in serenity in front of the fire after the day's work, knowing that everyone carried out their task for the functioning of the household. The matron braids threads of different colours into a beautiful pattern for her daughter's marriage, the contrast of shades creating overall beauty. As the ropemakers on the lagoon weave different ropes together to crate a much stronger one, so the right mixing of different elements creates harmony, beauty and strength.
The Braid in the oracle can represent harmony, a well functioning system or ties between people. In favourable contexts the Braid can mean that everything will fit together perfectly, brining forth abundance and strength. In other contexts it can mean that diversity is required, new elements need to be introduced or that a danger exists in the interaction of different elements in one's surrounding. Careful work is needed in making things fit together and feed into each other, or the whole is disrupted. The Braid can also represents sentiments, a wedding or a new relation between realms or clans.
Its animal the bee, its body part the heart.
The Cage
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The Cage, or the Dungeon, represents imprisonment and binding. One is trapped, forced to wait, and movement is impossible. The waters soar in spring, and one is trapped between the gorges, and needs to wait for the end of summer to be free. One's intention is discovered, and instead of bringing gold and fame, the deed is exposed and one imprisoned in the darkness of the dungeons. The cage represents binding, impossibility of freedom from bondage or responsibility. The cage represents failure, an abrupt stop to a project.
The Cage in the oracle is generally unfavourable. The cage suggests that the action one has in mind is against the rules of the firmament and is destined to fail. It also denotes delays or setbacks, or that one is bound by promises or responsibilities. In some readings it can express security, the high walls of the citadel and protection: however protection comes here with loss of freedom.
Its animal the hedgehog, its body part the ribcage.
The Firmament
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The Firmament, or Eternity, represents innocence. The rule of the firmament is unchanging and moves the cosmos, and man is relieved of any responsibility. Anything is permissible if man is in line with the immutable rules of the firmament above. No further motives drive his action and nothing is hidden, like a child man casts his head back and laughs to the sky.
The Firmament in the oracle is extremely auspicious. Any actions undertaken shines with success as long as it is done with pure heart in accord with the cosmos. It is not time for subterfuge and manipulation, or for long-term planning, for one needs to act instinctively and will succeed. One needs to cast away the burdens of responsibility and act without attachment: choice without planning, childlike innocence. The Firmament can also represent unpredictability, for nothing can be planned under the figure of innocence.
Its animal the tiger, its body part the teeth and the nervous system.
The Beaker
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The Beaker, or the Grail, represents prosperity, material richness and contentment. One digs a well in the harsh soil, and hits against a wooden crate; within it an ancient treasure of gold and jewels. Autumn approaches, and all trees are heavy with sweet fruit. No effort is needed, good fortune brings abundance without effort, a fish is caught as soon as the bait touches the water. In time of peace the fields breed abundance and happiness lives through the land.
The Beaker in the oracle is extremely favourable. Supreme luck, one needs not to worry for prosperity will come without asking or trying. The Beaker stands for peace and harmony, for times where culture can prosper and the economy bloom. The enemy is defeated naturally, without effort, and glory pours on the realm and its king.
Its animal the catfish, its body part the belly.
Exile
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Exile, or Death, represents drastic change. A young man steps on a ship at night, his deeds pushing him away for his lands in secrecy, perhaps to never return. A king's life is truncated in the peak of its glory, leaving the realm in uncertainty. Exile is necessary change towards the unknown, a jump into a abyss or a plunge into darkness. Nothing is known, and previous knowledge needs to be abandoned. One is banned from his motherland, and a new life needs to be created somehow.
Exile in the oracle means that drastic change is about to happen, or that one needs to radically change one's life to avoid misfortune. Exile is one of the most powerful figures of the oracle, but needs not to be negative. While the passage represents a passage towards a clear future, the Exile – being its contrary – represents a passage from a known past to uncertainty. One steps on the ship that will take him towards new lands, knowing what is behind but nothing of what lies ahead. Yet, he needs to go. Ultimately, Exile is a movement from the known to the unknown without possibility or reversal.
Its animal the owl, its body part the guts and excretory system.
Commentary
The system of fortune telling was assembled by Ven Dhalgren from fragments of different divination techniques from the different islands. In a way, the oracle is a compendium of different symbols and meanings, brought together under a new order and technique.
A commentary is currently being written by its creator, to explore the metaphysical underpinnings of the figures and the relations between them.
Event Horizon Theory - A commentary on the oracle and its relation to time and the Bloodstars by Averyl Addridae-West
